Annual/Termination Reports:

[04/15/2011] [03/21/2012]

Report Information

Participants

Dr. Daniel Aga, ASCC;
Dr. Singeru Singeo, COM;
Mr. Robert Jackson, COM;
Mr. Jim Currie, COM;
Mr. Rick Vera Cruz, COM;
Mr. Ross Manglona, NMC;
Mr. Joaquin Pedro Deleon Guerrero, NMC;
Dr. Carol Lewis, UAF;
Mr. Raaj Kurapati, UAF;
Dr. Lee Yudin, UOG;
Ms. Annie Santos, UOG;
Dr. Sylvia Yuen, UH;
Mr. Jim Hollyer, UH;
Ms. Vanessa Troegner, UH.

Brief Summary of Minutes

WERA 1004 is a consortium of the 6 Pacific Land Grant colleges (American Samoa Community College; College of Micronesia [covering the Federated States of Micronesia - Pohnpei, Chuuk, Kosrae, Yap, Palau Community College, and the College of the Marshall Islands], Northern Marianas College, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Guam, and the University of Hawaii. At this meeting, we discussed opportunities for collaborative projects that will impact our region with a focus on climate change, food security, and health and lifestyle impacts. Our partners are committed to fostering harmonious conditional among their communities, environments, and economies, for the mutual benefit and the best interests of the US and Asia-Pacific region.

Accomplishments

Following the objectives of WERA1004, the committee reviewed a proposal for a regional climate change project, headed by Dr. Scott Rupp, University of Alaska Fairbanks. Consortium members agreed to support initial data collection efforts, and assist in identifying sources of regional climate data. Further, consortium members agree to support the development of a Pacific-Island model for climate change. Committee will be updated on progress at next meeting.<br /> <br /> Committee discussed actions and activities that could be initiated in support of a regional Childhood Obesity grant. <br /> <br /> Committee reviewed ongoing Food Security projects in each institution, sharing ideas, progress, and tools.<br />

Publications

Impact Statements

1. Local Food Security Projects at each institution have increased awareness of the issue, and the value of local agricultural products.
2. Plans for a regional climate change project are underway.

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Report Information

Participants

Aga, Dan - American Samoa Community College; Guerrero, Pedro - Northern Marianas College; Hollyer, Jim - University of Hawaii; Kurapati, Raaj - University of Alaska-Fairbanks; Lewis, Carol - University of Alaska-Fairbanks; Manglona, Ross - Northern Marianas College; Santos, Annie - University of Guam; Troegner, Vanessa - University of Hawaii; Yudin, Lee - University of Guam; Yuen, Sylvia - University of Hawaii; Areta, Aufai - American Samoa Community College; Schlutt, Fred - University of Alaska-Fairbanks; Asifoa, Molly - American Samoa Community College

Brief Summary of Minutes

Draft meeting minutes attached. Minutes will be reviewed by board and approved at next meeting, July 7-8, 2012, Salt Lake City, UT.

Accomplishments

1. Committee reviewed progress of regional climate change project, headed by Dr. Rupp, University of Alaska Fairbanks, with regional coordination and participation. Outcomes of this project include increased awareness of climate change impacts. Outputs include a Pacific-island climate model, which can be used regionally as a model for future projects. Activities for the period from July to December 2011 include a meeting to review the model with regional collaborators, and discussion of data (Sept 2011, San Francisco, CA). Also, during this period, the consortium (headed by Dr. Rupp) submitted a Letter of Intent for a SeaGrant funding opportunity. The LOI was unsuccessful. Additionally, during this meeting, the committee discussed future activities to further goals and possible funding sources for further development of the Pacific-island climate model. <br /> <br /> <br /> 2. Committee reviewed progress of regional childhood obesity project (Children's Healthy Living - CHL), headed by Dr. Rachel Novotny, University of Hawaii, with regional coordination and participation. Activities within CHL continue across the Pacific region. WERA committee members serve in an advisory role within the CHL program at the local level. During this meeting, members were able to discuss their role in the project and their challenges and successes in helping to implement change in their communities. Outcomes and outputs vary by location. In the next few months, the committee hopes to work more closely with program staff to facilitate program growth and development. <br /> <br /> <br /> 3. Committee reviewed progress of Agricultural Development in the American Pacific (ADAP) project. Although the committee continues to seek funding for ADAP, we are planning for a final close-out. ADAP has been an ongoing project for 23 years and has had a long history of collaboration across the region. This committee reviewed the project goals, and final activities to include professional development, educational opportunities, management and accountability development, and library services. Committee members will be seeking alternatives funding sources for these activities and will work to continue these education opportunities when available.<br />

Publications

Impact Statements

1. Pacific-island climate change model will assist regional researchers in modeling and planning for local changes due to global climate change. Increased awareness of climate change will give island communities an opportunity to plan for change and address it proactively.
2. Regional collaboration on the CHL childhood obesity project relies not only on the researchers, but also on the institutions, governments, and communities. As a regional coordinating committee, this group has a role as local advisors and facilitors in program progress and community adoption and implementation.

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